- Field Day |
- Buildings Alive |
- Visions |
- CLGBT |
- Green Community |
- Fun & Free S#!T |
- Crossword |
- CL Space |
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Did St. Pete police blackball a crime watch leader?
Posted by Alex Pickett on Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Matthew Culp, left, and his partner Wade Burghardt stand in front of a renovated home in St. Petersburg's Palmetto Park neighborhood
In many ways, St. Petersburg resident Matthew Culp could be considered a model citizen.
Three years ago, he bought and rehabilitated a home in Palmetto Park, one of St. Pete’s rougher neighborhoods. He’s heavily involved in the Palmetto Park Neighborhood Association and the local crime watch. He’s bought other dilapidated properties to ease blight in the area. He has a spotless criminal record and participates in community events.
So when Culp applied to the city’s Citizens Police Academy — an 8-week course designed to give residents a better understanding of the police department — he never imagined he would be denied. But last week, St. Petersburg Police Department spokesman Bill Proffitt called Culp to say he would not be allowed to attend the course this spring.
SPPD spokesman Proffitt declined to discuss his decision to reject Culp, except to say, “The police report speaks for itself.â€
Which police report is that?
You may remember Culp from CL’s story back in August 2006. On May 21, 2006, a local drug dealer threw concrete chunks through the windows of Culp’s home. Culp responded by emptying his personal handgun into the ground outside his home. Police arrived, alerted to the shots, and no charges were filed, but police claim Culp used a racial slur while explaining what happened. After police left, a man paid off by local drug dealers threw a Molotov cocktail at Culp’s home.
That firebombing proved to be the final salvo for Culp and several neighborhood activists across St. Pete, who loudly criticized Mayor Rick Baker and Police Chief Chuck Harmon for a blasé attitude on crime. In several media accounts, including in Creative Loafing, Culp railed against the understaffed police force and called for changes in department leadership.
Culp denies using the racial slur and maintains he was within his rights in his use of the handgun. He’s not alone.
“If they are judging a person for protecting his own self, then that is very poor for the police department,†says Lurlis Simmons, president of the Palmetto Park Neighborhood Association. Simmons also doesn’t believe Culp made the offending comment.
Every applicant to the Citizens Police Academy is required to undergo a criminal background check. According to Proffitt, a handful of applicants are denied each session based on their criminal records. Even applicants with simple misdemeanor charges are “generally†not allowed in the course, he says.
But a check of Pinellas County court records online shows at least three attendees in the last three years have entered the academy with criminal histories, mostly single misdemeanors involving theft, weapons violations or alcohol infractions. One participant was arrested for trafficking in hydrocodone, a felony charge, though the state attorney had dropped the case.
The Palmetto Park crime watch leader sees a double standard and suspects retaliation on the part of SPPD.
“Anybody who has been vocal about the inaction of the city has been marginalized. It’s not a matter of my background — they think I’m a threat. It shows they have vengeance toward me.
Comments (54)
Showing 1-50 of 54
The St. Petersburg Police leadership should be ashamed, and Harmon and Proffitt should be fired. This is not only blatant discrimination. It's trying to silence victims of the police department's ineptitude and inability to do their jobs. Understand, it's not line cops. This is a case where administrators are promoted for being good "yes" men. St. Pete police "leaders" should be supporting people whoi follow the law and help rebuild neighborhoods. Instead, they are only out to cover their butts. Go Matthew!
like
dislike
Maybe Matthew Culp is being discriminated against due to homophobia. Always a possibility here in Hoot & Holler Country. I'm just sayin', is all.
I hope Culp gets a front row seat in the academy after the next election. We are all behind him and are fed up with being terrorized by criminals. Between Baywalk and the MLK day "after party", I think City Council is finally getting a clue about what residents face south of Central. Culp has made more progress in Palmetto Park than this administration, and has inspired others. His bravery and optimism are contagious. What I read in the older Creative Loafing stories about activists Matthew Culp and Scott Swift played a huge role in inspiring me to move south of Central. Keep up the good work in the face of adversity. Thanks Alex Pickett and Creative Loafing for running this story- this is exactly what urban residents need.
Are you tired of this old-school Police Department yet? Here we are in a "developing" city that is attempting to modernize. Yet, our Police Department still clutches to the archaic, redneck practices of the 20th century. I encourage you to contact the City Council to share yoru concern over this case, request a progress report on the Matrix report (which cost taxpayers $100k), and aks them to "encourage" the Police to start welcoming citizen who wish to play a crime prevention/enforcement instead of shunning or attacking them. Ever wonder why you don't have the contract you are looking for? Why not try to stop ATTACKING the citizens and start working FOR them. You might be shocked at the level of support you would receive for a generous new contract
Great article Alex. You're onto something here. Please keep up the good work on this topic!!!!
What the hell happened to UNASP? What was on the Videotape Mr. Culp made of his interaction with neighbors? What was really said to the officer who investigated the alleged usage of the racial perjorative 'n****r'? Where have all the flowers gone? Who am I, and what am I doing here?
The Pinellas County Sheriff needs to take over St. Petersburg. The SPPD are a joke alomg with Mayor Baker of the Baker Crime Family.
Rolex Air-King watch for sale Rolex Datejust II watch for sale Rolex Datejust watch for sale Rolex Submariner watch for sale Yachtmaster watch for sale Concord watches replica croum watches replica DeWitt watches replica ebel watches replica Ferrari watches replica
replica Hublot Etc. Moreover, the replicas we strive to provide are not only the most popular but also the rare and most fascinating models. With years of experience in making delicate replica watches, we are waiting to provide the crowning touch to your wrist.
People usually say :"Seeing is believing." GHD Each attempt has a corresponding gain, in part or obvious, or vague. At least we have the kind of satisfaction After I bought this watch ,in a sense,it means a great deal to me. rolex watches
We'r ed hardy outlet one of the most profession of the coolest and latest ed hardy apparel, such as ed hardy tee ,ed hardy bags, ed hardy bathing suits, ed hardy Polos, ed hardy board shorts ? ed hardy men T-shirt, ed hardy swimwearand more, ed hardy clothing. We offers a wide selection of fashion cheap ed hardyproducts. Welcome to our shop or just enjoy browsing through our stunning collection available wholesale ed hardy in our shop. our goal is to delight you with our distinctive collection of mindful ed hardy products while providing value and excellent service. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction and we offer only 100% satisfacted service and ed hardy products. Please feel free to contact us at any time; we are committed to your 100% customer satisfaction. If you're looking for the best service and best selection, stay right where you are and continue shopping at here is your best online choice for the reasonable prices. So why not buy your ed hardy now, I am sure they we won’t let you down.
Do you konw how to Convert MTS to AVI easily and quickly? here, i would like to recommend you this ultra mts to avi converter, which can convert mts to avi with just a few simple clicks, free download it and have a wonderful try. related product M2TS to AVI for you!
Our products are unique, our service is excellent. God expects you to come here online jewelry stores sunglass hut
Our shop offers many famousChopard Replica Watches. for example:Chopard Mille Miglia Replica Watches, They are all wrist watches and you can buy one for your father to show your love ,moreover. no one could know it a replica one.
We have been banned and have a considerable amount of money owed to us. http://www.anfworld.com/abercrombie-and-fitch-jeans.html http://www.anfworld.com/ruehl-no-925.html
I am really love your website. It is so great. Welcome to visit our website at anytime!
Good post, I can’t say that I agree with everything that was said, but very good information overall:)
Contemporary footwear varies widely in style, complexity and cost. Basic sandals may consist of only a thin sole and simple strap.
Good article! Thank you so much for sharing this post.Your views truly open my mind
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for first aid for a heart attack and your post looks very interesting for me.
These kind of post are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you !
This really is this kind of fantastic useful resource that you're offering and also you give it absent for free of charge. I really like seeing web-sites that comprehend the worth of supplying a top quality source for no cost. It?s the aged what goes near comes all-around program. Did you acquired a good deal of back links and I see loads of trackbacks?? Posed By Jordan 6
Excellent internet site, the place did you arrive up with all the information on this piece of writing? I’m happy I observed it although, I'll be checking again quickly to find out what other posts you could have.
Thanks for your great website, i love it very much. Welcome to visit our website too.
Thank you for your wonderful article, I learn a lot from you. Hope your blog was welcomed by most people.
Thanks for sharing your great website with us. i am really love it. Welcome to visit our website at anytime too.
There can be moments in lifestyle after you miss anyone a lot that you just just wish to select them out of your desires and hug them for actual! Posed By Jordan Trunner
Your article is extremely impressive. I never considered that it was feasible to accomplish something like that until after I looked over your post. You certainly gave a great perception on exactly how this whole process works. I will make sure to return for more advice. Thanks
MOD to iPad Converter is a really charming software. United mutliple functions into one, MOD to iPad can be used as a iPad Video Converter, iPad Audio Converter and iPad Editor. It can not only convert general video and HD video to iPad, but can also convert your favorite audio files to iPad for sharing everywhere, such as AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and so the forth. . If you have an iPad, and happenly want to convert MOD to iPad, this MOD to iPad Converter is your best choice, for it can not only convert MOD to iPad with super fast speed and high quality, but also provides you with mutiple additional edit functions, like merge, split, crop, watermark, preview, snapshot and so on. Now with the help of MOD to iPad, you can enjoy the visual feast with your iPad. Here also provides you with VOB to iPad.
Top Commenters
